Genomics applied to ruminant production

Abstract

Genomics applied to ruminant production 3The Brazilian beef cattle, besides being one of the main highlights of animal agriculture, have a large importance in the world market, because the country has one of the largest beef herds in the world, with around 200 million heads, predominantly animal origin Bos indicus, wherein Nellore breed influences approximately 90% of the population. Effective data for beef production confirmed in 2011 indicate that 16.5% was exported and the large amount (83.5%) was send to the internal market. (Foram retirados os dados informativos do rebanho de Ovinos) Because of the importance, economic interest and increased food production, improvements are needed for efficient production, especially in the selection of genetically superior animals and resistant to adverse environment of the tropics. With increased demand for food worldwide, the quantity and quality of the production of animal protein is an important target of research. Recent advances in biotechnology, the use of high-density beadchip of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP - Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms), allow to develop strategies to identify genes or genomic regions responsible for traits of interest, making the selection process faster and more efficient. GWAS methodology (Genome Wide Association Study) compares results from high-density beadchip with thousands of polymorphic markers found in individuals phenotyped for traits of interest, to identify associations of markers, or genomic regions, with those phenotypes. The objecti ve of this project is a study of molecular genetic systems, addressing genome-wide association study (GWAS), linkage disequilibrium, variations in the number of copies of genomic regions (CNVs) and functional enrichment in measures of growth, reproduction, meat quality and feed efficiency in cattle Nellore (Foram retirados os objetivos dos estudos de Ovinos). Additionally, conduct a study of global gene expression (sequencing of total RNA messenger - RNA-Seq) and epigenetic mechanisms that control the expression of feed efficiency in Nellore cattle. (AU)